Not just anyone receives the Jack Farley Youth Sports Achievement award.
It goes to a graduating male and female who demonstrates high athletic ability, leadership, community service and a high academic standing. These students excel in a particular sport and exemplify the values, commitment and contribution to the community held by Jack Farley, an honoured member of the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.
Summerland’s Claire Boothe was recently honoured during the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame Gala event at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
“I was very surprised when I found out that I was receiving the award, and extremely happy and honored,” said Boothe by email as she attends the University of British Columbia to study kinesiology. “This award means a lot to me because it was based on having a balance in academics, athletics and community service instead of just excellence in one aspect of life.”
Boothe has trained with the Taneda Karate Dojo for 11 years. She won over 80 karate medals, including three gold and four silver at the world championship level. Boothe is also an eight-time provincial champion. She recently brought home the 2012 Karate Canada nationals gold medal for her age and weight category and earned a spot on Team Canada. In August, she represented Canada at the Junior Pan-American Karate Championships in Cancun, Mexico. While training, Boothe made time to instruct children’s karate classes, act as a certified Karate BC regional judge, coach dojo members at local zone and provincial levels, co-captain the Summerland Secondary School volleyball team from Grades 10 to 12 and coach volleyball at Summerland Middle School. She has also been involved with the SSS Leadership projects from 2009-2012, the Get Active Marathon civic action project, Breakfast Club fundraising and participating in the Me-to-We Club as a student advocate.
“I am involved in a lot of community events because I feel as if giving back to the society that has helped me grow into who I am today is the least I can do,” wrote Boothe. “I love helping children and being able to teach and inspire them just as I was when I was their age.”
Boothe added she has worked hard to keep a balance between the activities and groups she’s involved with. She didn’t want one area to become inferior for the sake of another. She’s also grateful to her coaches (Sensei Chris Taneda, Senpai Cheryl Taneda and Senpai Mike Ditson) and teachers that have helped her get to where she is.
During a special reception, Boothe was presented with her award and $2,000 scholarship.
“The BC Sports Hall of Fame logo includes the words Honouring the Past, Inspiring the Future,” said Jean Boothe, Claire’s mother. “A highlight of the evening was when Claire had the opportunity to sit down and talk with 92-year-old inductee Barbara Howard. In 1938 at the age of 17, Howard represented Canada at the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney, Australia. The two athletes sat together and shared their appreciation and respect for one another. In doing so, they were honouring the past and inspiring the future.”
“It was humbling to be invited to an event where such distinguished athletes and dignitaries were also receiving award and being inducted into the Hall of Fame,” said Claire. “I met some incredible people and found new inspiration.”